Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 167
The Exposition of the Maheśa Mantra
Mahēśa-mantra-prakāśana
भूतार्तस्य स्मृतं मूर्ध्नि भूतमाशु विनाशयेत् । पीडितांगे स्मृतं तत्तत्पीडां शमयति ध्रुवम् ॥ १६७ ॥
bhūtārtasya smṛtaṃ mūrdhni bhūtamāśu vināśayet | pīḍitāṃge smṛtaṃ tattatpīḍāṃ śamayati dhruvam || 167 ||
Lorsqu’on s’en souvient (qu’on la récite) au-dessus de la tête de celui que tourmente un bhūta, elle détruit promptement ce bhūta. Lorsqu’on s’en souvient sur un membre souffrant, elle apaise à coup sûr cette douleur précise.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents mantra-smaraṇa (recollection/recitation) as a dharmic remedial application: directed recitation is said to remove subtle afflictions (bhūta-upadrava) and calm physical suffering, showing the Purana’s integration of spiritual practice with practical well-being.
Though framed as a technical remedy, it supports bhakti in practice by emphasizing faithful remembrance (smaraṇa) and recitation as a means to invoke protective spiritual power; devotion expressed through consistent smaraṇa is treated as efficacious.
It reflects mantra-prayoga (applied recitation) and viniyoga-like specificity—where the place of application (head vs. afflicted limb) is prescribed—typical of technical, ritual-application knowledge associated with Vedanga-style practice.